John Lennon: The Life

Philip Norman turns his formidable talent to the Beatle for whom belonging to the world's most beloved pop group was never enough. Drawing on previously untapped sources, and with unprecedented access to all the major characters, here is the definitive portrait of John Lennon. This biography takes a fresh and penetrating look at Lennon's much-chronicled life, including the songs that have turned him, posthumously, into almost a secular saint.

Like everyone else, I was very disappointed by the truly awful abridgement of this book. My favorite missing part (and there are so many good ones to choose from) is how the Beatles went from Christmas 1962 to full-blown rock stars in 1965. Uhmm... America and Ed Sullivan, anyone?

The Affinity Bridge: A Newbury & Hobbes Investigation

Welcome to the bizarre and dangerous world of Victorian London, a city teetering on the edge of revolution. Its people are ushering in a new era of technology, dazzled each day by unfamiliar inventions. Airships soar in the skies over the city, while ground trains rumble through the streets and clockwork automatons are programmed to carry out menial tasks in the offices of lawyers, policemen, and journalists.

There were any number of reasons I enjoyed this book, and only a few dislikes. My first like is the narrator, Simon Taylor, who has the perfect voice for all of the characters in this book (especially Sir Maurice and, interesting, Miss Hobbes). The plot is a bit thick and tangled at times, something I'd put down to a first time author (but surprising in such a seasoned editor), but all in all it kept my attention.

Sir Maurice is a flawed character, but not aggressively so-a relief after reading Stacia Kane's Downside books featuring a junkie witch. But despite his elegance and good looks, he's a laudanum addict and that should be an interesting thread in future books.

I was definitely struck by the gentleness of the book, despite some blood and gore scenes featuring the revenants and the automatons. If you're looking for something thought-full, this is it.

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